Israeli researchers discovered antibiotic-resistant Vibrio bacteria in the Mediterranean and Red Seas, posing significant health risks to humans and marine life. The study from Tel Aviv University reveals Vibrio strains with high toxin levels and strong antibiotic resistance, especially to azithromycin. Climate change-related warming seas are exacerbating the spread of these harmful bacteria to new areas, raising the potential for widespread infections. Urgent monitoring and intervention are essential to manage these emerging environmental threats.
May 28, 2025
Dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria discovered in Red Sea, Mediterranean
"The
results highlight the clear disease-causing potential of Vibrio bacteria."
- Tel Aviv University
Israeli
researchers have found dangerous, antibiotic-resistant Vibrio bacteria in the
Mediterranean and Red Seas, raising public health concerns, Tel Aviv University
(TAU) said in a statement on Sunday.
Key
Points
1 Vibrio bacteria threaten human health with
infections and marine life damage
2 TAU study reveals high toxin and antibiotic
resistance in Vibrio strains
3 Warmer seas due to climate change aid the spread
of these dangerous bacteria
4 Ongoing monitoring needed to manage emerging
threats in Israeli waters
These
bacteria can cause serious illnesses in humans, including stomach issues, wound
infections, and ear infections. They also harm marine animals like corals and
shellfish, Xinhua news agency reported.
Vibrio
bacteria can share genes, meaning once one becomes harmful, it can turn others
into threats too. Warmer ocean temperatures, driven by climate change, are
helping these bacteria spread to new areas and infect more people.
In
their study published in mSphere, TAU scientists analysed the genomes of 23
Vibrio bacteria samples collected from the coastal waters of Tel Aviv and
Eilat.
Their
findings revealed a wide range of toxins, secretion systems, and mobile genetic
elements that help the bacteria spread traits that boost their survival and
virulence.
It
was also found that at least 10 bacterial strains caused immune cells to die,
and at least 12 could intoxicate competing Vibrio strains.
When
tested against antibiotics commonly used to treat Vibrio infections, many
samples showed strong resistance, especially to azithromycin.
One
strain detected in the Red Sea produces a toxin deadly to shrimp, which has
caused damage worth billions of U.S. dollars to shrimp farms worldwide.
According
to the team, the results highlight the clear disease-causing potential of
Vibrio bacteria in Israeli coastal waters and point to the urgent need for
ongoing environmental monitoring to track and manage emerging threats.
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